# Sidewinder (*Crotalus cerastes*)

> The sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes) is a small horned rattlesnake that sidewinds across sand in the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Adults weigh about 150 g, hunt lizards and rodents at night, leave J-shaped tracks on dunes, and are listed Least Concern.

- **Category:** Reptile
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Mojave and Sonoran Deserts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/sidewinder/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Reptilia
- **Order:** Squamata
- **Family:** Viperidae
- **Genus:** Crotalus

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Crotalus cerastes |
| Diet | Carnivore (lizards and rodents) |
| Habitat | Sandy desert dunes and creosote flats |
| Lifespan | Around 12 years in the wild (varies by population and captivity). |
| Weight | About 0.15 kg typical adult mass (sex and region vary). |
| Top speed | Up to roughly 10 km/h when moving at speed. |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## Horns and sidewinding tracks

Raised scales above the eyes ("horns") may shield against sand and sun glare. Sidewinding lifts most of the body, leaving distinctive J-shaped tracks and reducing contact with hot sand. A small rattle warns predators.

## Lizards by night

Ambush and active hunting target lizards such as whiptails plus kangaroo rats and other desert rodents. Juveniles especially rely on lizards; adults take more mammals.

## Mojave and Sonoran dunes

Sandy desert dunes and creosote flats of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. They bury in sand by day with only the eyes and horns exposed.

## Desert specialist, still common

Least Concern overall, though off-road vehicles and urban sprawl into dune habitat can locally reduce numbers. They are protected from commercial collection in some US states.

## Frequently asked questions

### Why do sidewinders sidewind?

The locomotion minimises contact with hot or loose sand and gives efficient traction on dunes.

### What are the horns on a sidewinder for?

The supraocular horns likely protect the eyes from sand and abrasion as the snake moves and buries itself.

### Do sidewinders have a rattle?

Yes — they are true rattlesnakes (Crotalus), though the rattle is relatively small.

### Are sidewinder bites dangerous?

Venom is medically significant; seek emergency care. Fatalities are uncommon with treatment.

### Where do sidewinders live?

Mojave and Sonoran Desert sands of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/sidewinder/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.